Q6899 Nine Patch Single Irish Chain Variation
from Estate of Civil War Gen. Ellis Spear
c.1875
78 x80
Warren, Maine
$2,900

What a rare and wonderful opportunity to own a piece of Maine’s Civil War history! Betsey acquired this beautiful quilt in unused condition from the estate of General Ellis Spear, the Civil War officer who fought with the 20th Maine at Gettysburg on Little Round Top. General Spear survived the entire war, witnessed the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox, and eventually became the U.S. Commissioner of Patents in Washington, DC. General Spear died at the age of 83 and was buried with honors at Arlington National Cemetery.

This graphically well-balanced quilt is a skillful combination of Nine Patch, Log Cabin and Single Irish Chain patterns. Each double pink and off white Nine Patch block is approximately 2 ¾ inches square, and framed by logs ranging in width from ¾ to 1 inch wide. Indigo and off-white Nine Patch blocks join the diamond geometric print sashing. The single off white Nine Patch squares are extended throughout the body of the quilt to form a distinctive single Irish Chain. The double border of 1 ¾ inch off-white and diamond geometric print strips perfectly frame the quilt. The ½ inch binding is solid brownish mauve, and the backing is off-white linen.

Entirely hand pieced and hand quilted with chevrons in the blocks, hanging diamonds in the sashing, and double lines in border. This quilt has been faintly penciled with “1925 J.G. Cook” on the bottom off-white border, and “Jane McKowen Cook, 1809-1886” on the center sashing blocks. Betsey believes this quilt was started and finished in the 1870’s, and the family information added in 1925. As with much of written history, most women remain anonymous, as is the case with these two Cooks, although we can most likely speculate that Jane McKowen Cook was the quilt’s creator and J.G. Cook was the family member who inherited the quilt in 1925.

Professionally hand washed by Betsey; please ask her for more details.